US Seeks Role in Building Philippine Strategic Oil Reserve
MANILA — The United States is exploring possible involvement in building the Philippines' strategic oil reserve, the Philippine Department of Energy said, according to BusinessWorld on October 18. The discussions took place during a meeting between Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington, D.C., on October 15.
"Strengthening our partnership with the United States will help us diversify our energy sources, develop indigenous resources, and build the technical capabilities needed to support our long-term energy security," Garin said in a statement on October 18. The two officials explored opportunities for the Philippines to draw on U.S. experience in emergency oil stockpiling and preparedness for international supply disruptions, alongside broader cooperation in liquefied natural gas, coal, geothermal and nuclear energy, as well as natural hydrogen.
As a net oil importer, the Philippines is among the countries hardest hit when Middle East supplies are disrupted, and the government has moved to build a strategic petroleum reserve to shield the country from future shocks. The officials also discussed their nuclear energy cooperation under the 123 Agreement, signed in 2023 and in force since 2024, including U.S. support for the Philippines' preparations for small modular reactors; the U.S. Trade and Development Agency will organise a reverse trade mission connecting Philippine officials and industry with U.S. nuclear technology providers.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 菲律宾首都马尼拉天际线。照片：SwarmCheng／Wikimedia Commons（CC BY-SA 4.0）。Manila skyline, Philippines. Photo: SwarmCheng / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
